This is one of the best books I've found. I have a few different ones but this one is the one that gives the most practical information.

ok, first of all, they put a notice right when you open the book for liability so you shouldnt take to heart the strawberries. the book is a guide!! not a bible!!! anyway, great book!! yummy and easy food ideas!

I bought this book because I wanted some easy recipe ideas for my toddler with some of the basic ingredients that I would have on hand. This book appears to satisfy that criteria.

However, readers should note that there is a very important mistake about allergens on page 96. In Chapter 6: Foods for Your Crawler: 6-12 Months it says "Keep in mind that you must continue to avoid such potential allergy items such as cow's milk, eggs (although egg whites are okay), strawberries, nuts and honey." Actually, egg whites ARE NOT OKAY at that age - egg yolks are ok.

After making the decision to make home made baby food for my son I wanted to try to find a book that would cover a range of important topics. Some of the important topics that our pediatrician said to look for were food allergies, when to introduce food at the right stage and also food preparation and storage. I also was hoping to find a few recipes that werent too time consuming and covered the baics from purees to simple started solids and this book has it all.
The book has a wonderful index so you dont have to read it in order if you dont want to, you can bop from subject to subject as you find necessary. It is also stocked up with nutritional information such as which vitamins and minerals were most important and what foods contained these.
One of the most important thing for me was knowing when to feed my son which foods and this book has taken the mystery out of it all. The section that starts with what to feed baby first goes in order. For example you want to start by feeding a basic rice cereal and then about a week or so later you can move onto oats or barley. In that section the recipes go in that order so as not to confuse you!
As a concerned mother who wants to do the right thing by making the healthiest, freshest foods for my child I can honestly say that this book makes my life much easier and has helped calm a lot of my worries as to what and when to feed my son. It is also very reassuring that a nutritionist and a RD helped to co-write this book. It is basically a how-to guide for beginners in the world of baby food, with the added bonus of some wonderful easy-to-make recipes.
The only thing I noticed while reading through with a fine tooth comb was that they do say at one point (in the section on what to buy for making baby food) that you can buy berries of any kind. This isnt entirely true as strawberries are an allergenic food for children under the age of one. They do however cover the allergy and risk of offering strawberries to babies under the age of one in the food allergy section and foods to watch out for- so its a little contradictory however the food allergy section comes way before they tell you how and what to make so you hopefully will have read that by the time you get to making the food!
All in all a wonderful book for all parents who want to know about a wide variety of topics concerning home made baby food for babies and toddlers!

This book was a Great Big help to me, as I planned my first big crowd event! Very easy to read and understand, alot of great information and hints!

A great help for a recent party I threw. I loved the tips and the recipe I tried was enjoyed by all.

OK, at first, I wasn't particularly thrilled with this book. Maybe it's because I've been cooking for a crowd for awhile and hoped it would have more to offer. It's very basic. However, I am coming to appreciate its "basic-ness" and believe it's a good place to start if someone takes on a large crowd cooking challenge. Just having the information for how to estimate amounts of a particular food item is very nice; makes the math (at least for me!) much easier. I think the recipes are somewhat mundane, but again, since I've already come up with recipes that have worked successfully, maybe I'm not being fair. I think I came to respect the book and myself when I checked a recipe I've used against a similar one in the book and discovered they were close enough to make me feel as though I were anything but a dummy!

Good recipes, easy for anyone to follow. I manage a senior citizen facility and they are enjoying the change to our menu!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R20COAPDYHX7ZE Cullen of CullensAbcs.com reviews this book and gives you ideas on how to use to use it interactively with your child. For you I have more video book reviews, free children videos and free activity idea videos at the CullensAbcs.com website. If you have a children's book you would like me to review and offer ideas on how to use it interactively with children please send an email to CullensAbcs@gmail.com. Also, feel free to to add me, Cullen Wood, as a Facebook friend.

Daisy and Pip leave Grandpa napping while they set out to find the "Beastie". After much searching, they find it--a little tension builds when we can see the Beastie's eyes, glowing in the dark. But the Beastie that emerges is not to be feared. A sweet story that reassures children that some times things aren't as frightening as they seem. The illustrations in this book are so fetching---see if you can find Daisy, standing on tiptoes. The cows, bees, lambs and pigs are delightfully painted. Perfect book for babies, or for new readers to try on their own.

I work for a library and this is one of my FAVORITES to read aloud at story hour. The kids love it. The illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend this book for group reading (its great one on one too! ( :

My 2-year-old daughter loves this book and asks to have it read again and again. As Daisy leads Pip through the farmyard in search of the Beastie, this book teaches little readers about farm animals and the sounds they make. My daughter loves Daisy's curious wanderings and the suspenseful loud rumblings of the Beastie. The illustrations are very beautiful.

All those planning on exploring the Santa Fe Trail should have this book with them. It is an excellent guide, filled with detailed maps, very specific driving instructions, and a great deal of background information on the sites referred to. The book begins with a brief introduction, which includes information on general histories, other guidebooks, trail ruts, various markers and the groups that placed them, and a bibliography. Then Simmons gets into the specifics of the trail, beginning at Franklin, MO, proceeding through Kansas, and covering both the Mountain Branch and the Cimarron Cut-Off separately before continuing through New Mexico to Santa Fe (with brief side trips to Taos and Albuquerque included).

Simmons is interested in all remnants and markings of the trail and pinpoints even the most forlorn DAR marker. But it's his willingness to expose just about all that can be noted by the modern traveler (even sites on private property, though he is careful about warning against trespassing) that makes this guide book so valuable. This is the Second edition, published in 1986 after a careful note-taking retracing of the trail in 1985; probably a new edition is needed to update further changes made during the last 20 years (if it hasn't been done already). Highly recommended.

Don't count on AAA or Fodor's to guide you to the wagon wheel ruts, remnants of watering wholes, or Indian ambush points along the Santa Fe Trail. On one had I was pleased to see that the noted Santa Fe Trail historian had put together a guide to the location of the remnants of the trail. Unfortunately I found details lacking, particularly when it came to local observances and current road and off-road access to the location. I was particularly disappointed by the lack of detail for the Raton, NM area of the trail.

Marc Simmons is the pre-eminent author on Santa Fe Trail lore and this updated version of his "Following the Trail" is better than ever! He has captured those significant, visible elements of the SFT that make it impossible to follow the Trail without this book. The pictures and maps are explicit and easy to follow. His stories and anecdotes bring the Trail to life.
If you're an SFT buff be sure to also read his book: "The Old Santa Fe Trail", a collection of essays; and his new book: "Spanish Pathways" on the history of Hispanic New Mexico.
Jim Ryan

Now in a revised and updated third edition, Marc Simmons and Hal Jackson's Following The Santa Fe Trail: A Guide For Modern Travelers is written specifically to assist modern travelers who enjoy following the wagon tracks of pioneers. Following The Santa Fe Trail is packed with directions, maps, anecdotes, historical information, and everything else necessary to follow the trail of history. Now that the Santa Fe Trail has been designated a National Historic Trail under the National Park Service,it is bringing more public interest than ever to this fascinating pathway that transcends the generations. If the Santa Fe Trail perks your interest to, then Following The Santa Fe Trail is a must-read!

I found this book to be an easy read, and well setup; however, there were many typographical errors that I can't believe made it into print. Question section has many errors were MS Word must have went crazy in its auto numbering. Furthermore, the software has alot of errors including figures and illustrations that are mismatched with the questions; grammatical errors; and there software apparently doesn't handle the apostrophe character. While these may seem like minor errors, it is a representation of the author's and publisher's professionalism.

This MCSE book is very good - clear, to-the-point, and great labs. The review questions are challenging and will get you ready for the exam. I know - passed it the first time!

This book is a must for anyone considering the 70-227 ISA exam from Microsoft, or for anyone intending to evaluate and/or deploy ISA Server 2000.

I found the book easy to read, and covered all the core subject areas that I needed to pass the 70-227 exam. I read the book over a three week period, testing my knowledge as I went, and passed the exam easily.

In a word - buy it! (no wait, that is two words!)

I've done all my MCSE 2000 exams with the books from this collection and found them the best. They provide many screen shots so you know what's going on step by step. The ISA Server book is not different and is a sure bet if you want to pass this elective.

I came across this book as a child and enjoyed it a great deal. Even though as a kid I couldn't comprehend many of the stories in the book, I found the variety and diversity contained in it awesome. Now being able to fathom it in its' entirety, I STILL go back to it and re-live my favorite stories. The "Psychos" section is my favorite. I highly recommend it.

This collection of horror short stories is exceptional because of the wide range of styles and stories it contains. The reader will not be lost in a jungle of imaginations because the book is organized in five chapters that are each dedicated to one type of atmosphere and plot. Hence when you start one chapter you know what continent of horror you are entering and you will get variety within that landscape. Some stories are absolutely stunning and fascinating. I found « Say hello, Mister Quigley » by J. Michael Straczynski too gentle on the incestuous father. Of course the victim has to forgive, but most of the time this forgiving is impossible because of the damage caused by the incestuous parent. I loved « Bob the Dinosaur » by Joe Lansdale because it shows how kids live on the illusion of a dream that is shattered by reality when it becomes true, when it gets satisfied. It is better to live on dreams even if they are disturbing, particularly for the parents' everyday life. Finally « Dark Embrace » by James Van Hise is a refreshing vision of vampires associated to a sickening vision of child molesting. Vampires become, in a way, gentle and lovable, even if they are monsters, when you compare them to child molesters who kill to cover up their tracks when their pleasure is satisfied. Vampires are also very human and long for company and love. Which a child molester never long for. He longs for brutal contact (rape) and absolute solitude that makes him kill his victim because he is entirely enslaved by his desire, his perverted passion for kids.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Perpignan at Mende.

I'm a big fan of Horror anthologies, and this is one of the best I've ever read. From the terrific introduction by the editor, to the last page, it was very satisfying. The stories range in intensity from the sheer grit of "Bad Guy Hats" to the quirky "Bob the Dinosaur Goes to Disneyland." There is something in here for everyone. Everybody gets a chance to be scared by something in here; all bases get covered. If you like horror anthologies, this is a must-read.

Second book I've read this summer, although I was some what disappointed with Too Weird For Ziggy it was much better than Lily Burana's STRIP CITY, however it now leaves me to find yet another book to satisfy my summer reading bug. What I felt was annoying was how the snippets would stop short, they never seemed to satisfy the juicy middles. It's a shame because the stories themselves were fab; each one was rich with intriguing plots, colourful personalities and believable wackiness. One chapter I skimmed was "close to you" I found it predictable and excruciating to finish so I skipped it and went on to the next chapter. What I found fun, exciting and a page turner, were the clues Sylvie gives the reader, to making the rock-star connections. What at first I thought were separate identities actually intertwined as the story progressed. Sylvie did such a great job building "pussy" that I sympathized and championed her character throughout the book. I can see this book being turned into a Hollywood Movie cast with well-known controversial celebs for a few quick EZ bucks but unless it was revised it would shortly after be sent to DVD. To the publishers, using the Sharon Osbourne blurb was a sly marketing device as it was what got me to check the book out from the library. All in all, I would recommend this book for a light summer read, it only took several days to finish which is good because I would have been highly upset if I spent more reading time on a book which I felt had quickly rushed endings.

Terrific stuff. I loved the style, the humour and the thrillingly horrifying atmosphere of madness and chaos that (I'm guessing here), accurately reflects life in the music business. The book has particularly good similes, and has a great sense of comic timing. Naturally, I'm jealous of all these abilities - but not of the world it is set in. After reading the book, I was left wondering if anything would ever be Too Weird for Sylvie!

There are just enough well known traits in each of these characters to make you think you know who the author is writing about. Anyone with more than a passing interest in music will be able to decipher the composites. And that -- for me -- was almost as much fun as the plots and story lines, albeit they reach some new levels of debauchery and decadent humor.

Long live rock's spirit, as told by Sylvie Simmons. I sure hope she writes another book.

These fascinating tales are creepier than Hitchcock and funnier than Wilde. The stories wrapped around the music biz are natural fodder for the famous journalist but the others are even more bizarre and entertaining. Simmons' seamless style and wonderful wit will floor you. This is fiction in the rock'n'roll style!

The "memorable mathematics" part of this book treats many interesting things. One is "a simple approach to E=Mc^2". First we substitute the relativistic notion of mass m=m_0/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2) into F=ma=d/dt(mv) to get the relativistic F=ma, which is F=m_0a/(1-v^2/c^2)^(3/2). The work done by the force moving a particle from 0 to x is energy=integral from 0 to x of relativistic force=(change in mass)c^2. Another topic is rocket propulsion in outer space. Consider a rocket with no forces acting on it. Then mv is constant since d/dt(mv)=ma=F=0. The rocket moves forward by throwing out parts of its mass in the form of exhaust products with velocity -b relative to the ship. Since mv is constant we have mv at t=mv at t+dt, i.e. mv=(m+dm)(v+dv)+(-dm)(v-b), which reduces to dv=-b(dm/m) which we can integrate to get, e.g. the burnout velocity for given initial conditions b and fuel/m. But the best topics are two Euler classics. First the summation of the reciprocals of the squares. (sin x)/x has the roots pi, -pi, 2pi, -2pi, ..., which suggests that the "infinite polynomial" (sin x)/x=1-x^2/3!+x^4/5!-x^6/6!+... should factor as (1-x^2/pi^2)(1-x^2/4pi^2)(1-x^2/9pi^2)... Multiplying this out and equating coefficients of x^2 we get 1/pi^2+1/4pi^2+1/9pi^2+...=1/3!, so the sum of the reciprocals of the squares is pi^2/6. Also, as a bonus, if we put x=pi/2 in the infinite product for (sin x)/x we get Wallis's infinite product for pi. Euler's study of the reciprocals of the squares also led him to the zeta function zeta(s)=1+1/2^s+1/3^s+..., which he saw can also be written as a product: sum over all integers of 1/n^s = product over all primes of 1/(1-1/p^s), as we see by expanding each factor on the right hand side as a geometric series and multiplying out the product, which gives the reciprocal of each possible product of primes, to the power s, exactly once, i.e., by unique prime factorisation, the left hand side. This charming formula immediately pays off by yeilding a new proof of the old theorem that there are infinitely many primes: because zeta(1)=1+1/2+1/3+...=infinity we have also zeta(1) = product over all primes of 1/(1-1/p) = infinity, which is clearly possible only if there are infinitely many primes.

This is a terrific book for anyone who is fascinated by the workings of great minds. In the first half of the book, Mr Simmons takes us through the lives of 33 of the most notable mathematicians on history, from pre-Archimedes, to the late 19th century. These are wonderful stories of great thinkers, and, to my relief, Mr. Simmons walks us through derivations of many famous formulas and discoveries. Do not fear that this is all calculus--much of the book is brilliant algebra, geometry, and number theory, and fully comprehendable by anyone with a good non-calculus high school education. But tasty calculus delights abound for those who are up to the challenge. The second half of the book, called Memorable Mathematics, are proofs and insights into some of the most wonderful discoveries of pre-twentieth century Mathematics. Topics include primes, irrational numbers, perfect numbers, proofs of infinite series involving e and pi, and a marvelous treatise on the cycloid and brachistochrone problems. Interspersed are interesting anecdotes about these great thinkers, including Newton, Euler, the Bernoulli Brothers, and Leibniz, just to name a few.

I loved this book, even though I am not a mathematician by profession. The best part about it is that not only are these famous formulas presented, but most are also proven, which goes along way in showing just how amazingly the brilliant minds of these historical geniuses work.

Gems is the correct word to describe the tales in this book. These are some of the best stories of the people who made mathematics what it is today that you will ever find. The first stories are about the ancient Greeks and that amazing flowering of intellectual achievement that suddenly arose on the shores of the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. We will probably never know what events fertilized this amazing garden, but suddenly the purely intellectual pursuits of geometry, number theory and logic became the pinnacle of civilization.
Unfortunately for us all, but an accurate reflection of historical reality, the first set of stories ends at 415 AD and the next does not begin until 1571 AD. However, the pent-up intellectual ferment led to many dramatic changes in a very short time. The germination of calculus could not occur until many philosophical viewpoints were overthrown. Geocentric views of the universe were completely incompatible with the ideas of Kepler and people had to once again believe that the pursuit of knowledge was a worthy task. It was also necessary for the opposition of the established churches to be reduced to a point where at least it was accepted for people to challenge doctrine. This process took over a century, and was not without many conflicts. Two of the greatest minds of the seventeenth century, Blaise Pascal and Isaac Newton, were emotionally unstable and it was manifested in some unusual religious writings. It is conceivable that a longer-lived and more focused Pascal would have invented calculus.
After the second start, the development of calculus then became an inexorable movement. Great intellects followed each other, each building a new section of the castle that is calculus. The author weaves the thread of how each required the achievements of those who preceded them. Personalities and their personal lives also form an integral part of the stories, which makes it much more lively to read. The people who created calculus were real people with sometimes unusual traits. What is striking is that while some were clearly known to be prodigies at an early age, others were quite ordinary in their youth. Newton's youth was quite undistinguished and Weierstrass did not blossom until his forties.
This is an ideal book for the study of the history of mathematics. Not only are the facts of development put forward in a sequential order, but you learn about the lives and personalities of the people who made it what it is today. They did not always succeed, were from widely different backgrounds and some of them led very unhappy lives. This should show us all that there is not one specific mathematical personality, but one mathematical discipline that can attract a wide variety of personalities.

This bilingual picture book tells the story of poet Juan Felipe Herrera's early years with his parents who were migrant farmworkers in California. Herrera's love for his poor hardworking parents is evident. The vibrant, vivid pictures by Elly Simmons combine with Herrera's Spanish/English text to make a delightful children's book that readers of all ages will enjoy!

I am a teacher and find this story a great example of personal narrative for my students. It also connects well with students of today.

This is a wonderful biography of the author Juan Felipe Herrera. This story is told in narrative style through the eyes of young Felipe who was born in California to his Mexican parents. Felipe describes the warmth and love he recieves from both his mother and father. The illustrations are beautiful. The story is written in wonderful prose. Felipe tells us of his daily life in various migrant camps throughout California. I would definately read this aloud to 2nd through 4th graders. A good way to explain to younger children what life is like for a migrant family.

I read this around Christmas, and I enjoyed all 4 stories.
My favorite was probably the 2nd one, about the couple who
adopts 3 kids. My 2nd favorite would be the 3rd story,
the only contemporary one in the book, where the heroine
gets taken down a few pegs and is a better person for it.
I found the 1st & 4th stories to be very similar. Each
had a little girl whos father & mother were no longer among
the living, who lives with her aunt (mother's sister), only
to have her uncle (father's brother) come along later in order
for love to get a foothold. The main difference between these
2 stories is the little girls themselves. One acted spoiled
(but was actually neglected) and the other was a truly sweet
person. All in all, I thought the book was near excellent.

My aren't these angels precious. They are sent to earth to help individuals fall in love and get their lives "back on track". Whatever your religion you will love how these angels break some of the rules (for good reasons) and manage to get some of the most stubborn people to realize thier hearts desire. I have to say that my favorite story was "The Trouble with Hannah" (it coudl be the name). I found so many similaries to todays world where parents don't take enough time for their children and the children get angry. All it takes is a little love, some turn about is fair play, and yes some discipline to bring not only Hannah around, but also her guardians. The other three stories are cute too.....Bottom line, a good book for quick reads.

From the back cover:

An Angel's touch: Celebrate the magic of Christmas with these four stories of heaven-sent love.

"The Trouble With Hannah" by Debra Dier
Leicestershire, 1887. A mysterious governess uses her heavenly powers to help a lovely spinster reform her mishievous niece and win the heart of the peer she has always desired.

"Tryst With An Angel" by Eugenia Riley
London, 1855. A Yuletide miracle teaches a coldhearted businessman and his wife that, even though their marriage was arranged on earth, their love was made in paradise.

"A Time For Joy" by Amy Elizabeth Saunders
Seattle, 1995. A social-climbing beauty has no interest in a blue-collar Adonis until a blizzard--and her guardian angel--trap them together on Christmas Eve.

"Chrissy's Wish" by Trana Mae Simmons
Dalls, 1860. A pair of heavenly messengers ansewrs a young girl's Christmas prayer and brings her lonely aunt the one man who can fill her life with joy.

And my review.

I love Christmas romance, paranormal romance, and angels, so this collection seemed like something I would like. I was not dissapointed!

"The Trouble With Hannah" was okay. Not a story I would re-read, but good for a one-time read. The heroine's klutzy ways was quite endearing, and I really felt sorry for the poor, neglected child who acted out because she wanted love so badly. I also really admired the heroine's resolve to marry only for love, and to risk social ruin rather than accept a marriage based on logic instead of true love. The angel part of this story was not done as well as I would have liked, though. Three stars.

"Tryst With An Angel" was absolutely WONDERFUL! I didn't have high hopes for this novella, as I hadn't liked this author's story in the "A Time-Travel Christmas" collection. But I was amazed by this story. It captured my attention immediately, and I could not put it down! I love stories of estranged spouses reconciling, and this was one of the best of these I have ever read. I cried my eyes out at the end - not just a few tears - I was sobbing. Seriously - I had to keep stopping because I couldn't see the words to read anymore. Usually in novellas, you can see the ending coming, but in this one, it left you guessing until the very end. I can not say enough good about this story - only that it made it worth buying this book. If you only read one story this Christmas - read this one! It's one I know I'll be re-reading in the years to come! (More than) Five stars.

"A Time For Joy" was also very, very well done. The guardian angel stole center stage. She was hilarious! I laughed out loud at least ten times while reading this story. I loved the idea that the more beautiful you are on the inside, the more beautiful your guardian angel will be (and visa versa!). The little girl in this story was so sweet, and all the characters just captured my heart. I loved watching the heroine rediscover the things that really matter in life. Though this story was less than 100 pages, it didn't feel at all rushed. This will be a re-read story. Five stars.

"Chrissy's Wish" was a bit of a let-down after the last two fabulous stories. There was not much character development, so I had a hard time caring about them. I found her quite childish and annoying and him a bit too "I'm the man of the house, so what I say goes". The angel aspect of this story was fairly weak as well. The little girl was pretty much a flat plot device, and not a full character. I had to force myself to finish this story, and I didn't feel that their turn-around from "I hate you" to "I love you" was very believable. Not a re-read. Three stars.

I normally don't give a five-star rating to an anthology unless all the stories are five stars. But the two middle stories are SOOOOO good that giving the book less than five stars would be an injustice to them. Anyone who likes the show "Touched By An Angel" (which I love) will probably like this book. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of this anthology - you will not regret it!